instead they're left wondering whether consumers are going to take home less money, and that government agencies can slash spending. a recipe for recession. i asked the ceo of fedex how companies plan ahead when washington is so dysfunctional. >> well i think most of the ceos look at the situation in washington with complete amazement and dismay, to be frank about it. the problem is, the ideological pinnings on both sides of this argument are so difficult to bridge, that it's going to be hard for them to get a deal. >> that's right. other ceos i talked to yesterday said they think it will be hard to get a deal, soledad and it's kind of a grim move right now in d.c. about how long it's going to take -- >> xavier becerra, it sounded like compromise could be on the table because they're going to come to this cliff deadline that will put pieces in place that maybe just have a deal. >> i hope you're right. we will see. >> look maybe we're not being fair. you go over the cliff, the rates go up. >> right. >> the president then says, i want president then says i want to cut taxes for 99% of ame